We are just weeks away from the 52nd anniversary of Saloni (Tuesday, April 12th., to Sunday, April 17th.). A big part of Saloni, every other year (on even years) is EuroCucina.

Created in 1974, the International Kitchen Furniture Exhibition runs concurrently with the International Bathroom Exhibition in the broader context of the Salone del Mobile.

EuroCucina showcases all the latest in the realm of high quality kitchens, responding to the escalating demand for functionality from increasingly savvy consumers. Its collateral event, FTK (Technology For the Kitchen), specialises in built-in appliances and cooker hoods, presenting the latest technology for “cooking” and living the kitchen space, embracing the innovative new dimension of “connectivity”.

2014 IN NUMBERS

23,813.25 DISPLAY AREA (sqm)

138 EXHIBITORS

357,212 VISITORS

311,781 OF WHICH TRADE OPERATORS

6 good reasons to visit EuroCucina:

120 exhibitors on a surface of 23,000 m2 (EuroCucina), more than 40 exhibitors on 12,000 m2 (FTK)

Business: demand for kitchens has risen

Business: fertile ground for growing markets where large residential and hospitality contracts are being developed (USA, UK, China and some parts of the Middle East)

Top italian and international brands

Trends: cutting-edge innovation, technology and design

FTK: the connectivity that makes for intelligent homes

DATES AND OPENING HOURS

12-17 April 2016
9.30 am – 6.30 pm
Open to the general public on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 April

Formed in 2009, by Miles Hartwell and Matt Withington and located just south of London, SplinterWorks is one of the best examples of ‘applied arts‘ I’ve seen in recent years. They have delivered projects all over the world, in the USA, UAE, Southern Ireland, Cyprus, France, Italy and even one in Australia.

SplinterWorks have a particular affinity with developing work that re-thinks how we prepare, cook and experience food. They bring the activities of the kitchenout of the grid shaped room at the back of the house and into the living areas creating works to be enjoyed socially, physically and visually.

The majority of their works are unique commissions where every element, from the intended location and practical elements, to striking a personal resonance with the commissioner, can be considered and accomplished.

On 23rd January 2011, the imm cologne and LivingKitchen in Cologne drew to a close with an excellent result. Including estimates for the final day of the fair, the dual event drew around 138,000 visitors to Cologne – an increase of 38 percent.

“What’s been happening here over the last few days is unbelievable. What trade fair can announce such marked double-digit visitor growth? That’s a great signal for the consumer goods trade fairs in Germany during the course of the year and convincing confirmation that trade fairs are a highly efficient marketing tool,” sums up the trade fair’s visibly satisfied commander-in-chief Gerald Böse. “We have all become part of a success story called imm cologne and LivingKitchen. Cologne is the absolute focal point of the furniture industry again, especially when it comes to the business side of things, as well as home to the international kitchen furniture industry,” adds the CEO of Koelnmesse. Dirk Uwe Klaas, Chief Executive of the Association of the German Furniture Industry (Verband der Deutschen Möbelindustrie), came to a similar conclusion: “It was by far the best furniture fair we’ve had in the last 10 years: more visitors, more contracts signed and an excellent mood. An excellent start to the 2011 furniture year for our national furniture industry and a huge success for Koelnmesse.”

The unique combination of furnishing and kitchen worlds convinced both trade visitors and the general public. The excellent reception the event met with Page2 from visitors during the entire week of the fair ensured beaming faces on the manufacturers’ side. 138,000 professional buyers and consumers from 128 countries flocked to the exhibition halls of the imm cologne // LivingKitchen – 38 percent more than attended the previous event (imm cologne 2010). There were significant increases amongst trade visitors, not only from within Germany but above all from abroad, most notably from the Netherlands, France, Italy and Switzerland, as well as Eastern Europe in general and Russia in particular. In addition, more buyers were registered from important export markets like Asia, the Near East and North America. All in all, the trade fair drew increased numbers of visitors from almost all countries. “This result is convincing proof that the diverse activities and high level of commitment we put into attracting national and international visitors were successful and have definitely paid off,” says Gerald Böse

The extremely good mood at the imm cologne was reflected in the halls of the LivingKitchen fair:

· “What we’ve experienced in Cologne in the last few days speaks volumes. I’m particularly delighted that the kitchen has returned to Cologne with such a spectacular sensation,” sums up Hans Strothoff, Chairman of the MHK Group.

· “We are extraordinarily pleased with the way the fair has gone and the result. The response from dealers and visitors from Germany and abroad was very positive. And the number of visitors far exceeded our expectations,” says Roland Hagenbucher, CEO of Siemens-Electrogeräte GmbH

The trends

· When it comes to covering fabrics, plain colours dominate. Colourful stripes or abstract graphics are popular choices for accentuation. White remains the megacolour. In the leather segment, thick, barely treated natural leathers with a tactile, inviting character are particularly popular.

· LED lighting technology has made its breakthrough. The majority of wardrobes, wall units, sideboards and display cabinets are being equipped with this energy-saving lighting technology. LED fulfils two functions: brightness and atmosphere.

· Sustainability is playing an increasingly important role in furniture construction too. Wood is becoming more and more popular, not only for storage and kitchen furniture but for comfortable chairs and loungers and as a visible component of sofas. Wood is reclaiming its former status in the furniture sector. One striking development: the many items featuring untreated oak, sometimes even complete with bark.

1,213 companies from 48 countries participated in the imm cologne // LivingKitchen 2011. They included 521 exhibitors and 32 additionally represented companies from Germany as well as 614 exhibitors and 46 additionally represented companies from abroad. Foreign companies accounted for 54 percent of exhibitors.*

* All figures are calculated according to the guidelines of the Society for the Voluntary Control of Fair and Exhibition Statistics (Gesellschaft zur Freiwilligen Kontrolle von Messe- und Ausstellungszahlen, FKM)

Besides to stainless steel and stone, he used rare and precious fossil durmast oak

One of my personal all time favorite kitchen designers is Marco Gorini – at the Milan Design Week, in 2009, Gorini has done it again. He introduced the Strato 031 concept – another great kitchen design with a new twist. In the Strato 031, Gorini searched for unique designs, combined with the use of very unique materials. Besides to stainless steel and stone, he used rare and precious fossil durmast oak – the unusual wood, which isn’t originating from deforestation but rather form the subsoil, fruit of the course of nature which gave it its special smoky look.

the Strato 031 concept – another great kitchen design with a new twist

Strato 031 is made up of two units: a pantry area, against the wall and an island that is also doubling as a table. The tall unit (pantry) is made up of a satin finished stainless steel structure, with integrated fossil durmast oak doors. The two central doors are fitted out with foldaway opening (pocket doors) and integrated electrical appliances. The two side pantry cabinets are used for storage – their interior structure is finished in brown stone and the shelves in glass. According to Strato – the finishes and the luxurious touches must not be found only in the exterior parts, but also on the interior parts that may be seen only by us.

The island is special and complex, both in terms of its appearance, as well as its functionality

The island is special and complex, both in terms of its appearance, as well as its functionality. Stainless steel structure, covered top and fronts panels in fossil durmast oak and stainless and wood interior to match. The worktop is covered by three panels – two of them are sliding and allow access to cooking and washing area (note the special folding faucet that allows that). One of the panels becomes a table, when pulled out.